The Perfect ASU Move-In Day: Where to Eat, Cool Off and Take a Break in Tempe
ASU move-in day is exciting, emotional and approximately 40% carrying boxes in triple-digit heat.
Between finding your residence hall, assembling furniture and realizing you forgot one strangely essential item, you deserve a break. Luckily, Arizona State University’s Tempe campus is surrounded by local restaurants, cafés and creative businesses where students and families can cool down and enjoy their first day in Tempe.
Here’s our suggested ASU move-in day itinerary, whether you’re a new student, a returning Sun Devil or a parent trying to squeeze in a little more family time before saying goodbye.
Start With Coffee and Breakfast in Tempe
Move-in day requires caffeine—and probably something more substantial than the granola bar buried underneath everything in the car.
Tempe has plenty of locally loved breakfast and coffee options near ASU. Start your morning at a neighborhood café, order something cold and make a plan before the unloading begins.
For coffee enthusiasts, Infusion Coffee & Tea is a Tempe-born coffee destination near campus. If you’re looking for a sit-down breakfast, Daily Jam on Mill Avenue is a popular option for breakfast, brunch and a strong start to a busy day.
Move-in morning gets hectic quickly, so check current hours and consider ordering ahead when available.
Tackle the Essentials Early
Once you’re caffeinated, it’s time to unload the car, collect keys and figure out how all of your belongings are supposed to fit inside one room.
A few move-in day reminders:
- Keep water with you at all times.
- Wear shoes you can comfortably walk in.
- Put medications, identification and important documents in a separate bag.
- Bring a small toolkit, scissors and removable hooks.
- Label your most important boxes so they’re easy to find.
- Complete outdoor unloading as early as possible.
- Take breaks before you feel overheated.
You do not have to completely finish the room in one stretch. Once the essentials are inside and the bed is assembled, give yourself permission to stop.
Grab Lunch at a Tempe Classic
When everyone starts getting tired and hungry, step away from the instruction manuals and visit one of Tempe’s longtime local restaurants.
The Chuckbox, located at 202 E. University Drive, is an iconic Tempe burger spot that has been serving mesquite-grilled burgers near ASU for decades. It’s casual, close to campus and an experience generations of Sun Devils have shared. Just remember that The Chuckbox is cash only.
For something farther east along Apache Boulevard, Haji-Baba is a longstanding local favorite serving Middle Eastern and Mediterranean food. It also has a small international market inside, making it a fun introduction to Tempe’s diverse food scene.
Other nearby options include Curry Corner, Thai Basil and Pho Fresh Alley & Boba Tea. One of the best parts of living near ASU is having access to so many different cuisines within a relatively small area.
Cool Off With a Craft Near ASU
After several hours of carrying boxes through the Arizona heat, come cool down at Crafty Tomato, a DIY craft studio and gift shop located at 1250 E. Apache Blvd., Suite 106. Crafty Tomato is practically on the ASU Tempe campus.
Even if you don't feel like crafting after a day of moving, Crafty Tomato has an entire gift shop to spice up your dorm! Don't forget to check out their newest collection of colorful ceramic mugs. You are gonna need one for your morning coffee.
Or maybe crafting is just the thing you need to treat yourself after all the heavy lifting! It’s an easy move-in break for:
- New roommates getting to know each other
- Students decorating a new dorm or apartment
- Parents and students spending time together before goodbye
- Siblings who need something fun to do
- Anyone who has seen enough cardboard boxes for one day
Choose something for your new space, make matching projects with your roommate or create a move-in keepsake with your family.
Students Get 10% Off Crafts Throughout August
To welcome students back to Tempe, Crafty Tomato is offering students 10% off eligible crafts throughout August.
Show a current student ID when you visit to receive the discount. Reservations are recommended during ASU move-in and Welcome Week because seating is limited.
Pick Up a Treat From Shaghf Cafe
A cold caffeinated drink tastes especially good after moving into a dorm in August.
Explore the Neighborhood With Your New Roommate
If you still have energy, spend a little time exploring the area around your new home.
Walk through ASU’s Tempe campus and locate the buildings you’ll need during your first week. Find your nearest Valley Metro stop, explore Mill Avenue or take a short evening walk near Tempe Town Lake once the temperature becomes more comfortable.
This is also a good time to identify the practical places you’ll want later:
- Your favorite nearby coffee shop
- A reliable lunch spot
- Somewhere to take visiting family
- A comfortable place to study
- An indoor activity for extremely hot days
- A local business for birthday gifts
- A fun place to bring new friends
You don’t have to learn all of Tempe in one day. Finding two or three places that already feel familiar can make a new city feel much more manageable.
End the Day With Comfort Food
After unpacking, crafting and exploring, finish your first day with a satisfying local dinner.
Cornish Pasty Co. is a longtime Tempe favorite serving traditional British-style pasties with a huge selection of fillings, including vegetarian and vegan options. Its Mill Avenue location puts you near the energy of Downtown Tempe, while its University Drive location offers another option west of campus.
If you’d rather stay closer to the center of ASU, explore the restaurants around Mill Avenue, College Avenue, Apache Boulevard or Novus Place. Tempe’s food scene offers everything from tacos and sushi to ramen, Mediterranean food and late-night pizza.
Make Move-In Day Part of the Memory
It’s easy for ASU move-in day to become one long list of errands. But this is also the beginning of a completely new chapter.
Take a photo before the room becomes messy. Eat somewhere that might become a four-year tradition. Make something with your family. Explore a local business with your new roommate. Give yourself at least one memory from move-in day that doesn’t involve carrying a storage bin up the stairs.
Welcome to Tempe, Sun Devils. We hope you’ll come create with us soon.
Plan Your Visit to Crafty Tomato
Crafty Tomato
1250 E. Apache Blvd., Suite 106
Tempe, Arizona 85281
Crafty Tomato is a beginner-friendly DIY craft studio and gift shop near Arizona State University’s Tempe campus. Walk-ins are welcome when space is available, but reservations are recommended during move-in and Welcome Week.
Students receive 10% off eligible crafts throughout August with a current student ID.